Ron Paul Packs the Great Hall in Countdown to Caucus

A crowd of more than 1,000 packed into the Memorial Union at Iowa State University Thursday night, to hear Texas Congressman Ron Paul's message of small government, personal liberties and getting out of wars.

Paul is polling at second place, according to a Dec. 3 Iowa Poll by the Des Moines Register. But he lands at 8 percent in a national Gallup poll of Republican voters. Some have said a strong Iowa caucus showing could boost numbers in upcoming primaries.

Joe Franzen, 33, Ames, an employee of the university said he's been a supporter since 2008. Franzen said he didn't caucus in 2008, but he's more interested in the race now.

“I guess I see a lot of stuff degrading in our country: the financial crisis, the wars, I don't see an end to it. Right now I think Ron gives us our best chance. He's the only candidate who is talking about peace right now,” Franzen said. 

Paul, 76, will speak at the University of Northern Iowa Friday and take part in Saturday's ABC News GOP presidential candidates debate at Drake University in Des Moines. He hopes to draw young voters out on Jan. 3 to support him at the caucuses, even though Iowa's universities will be on break that week.

Among the sea of youthful faces Thursday was 34-year-old Scott Post, who drove two hours from Laurens. He'd seen Paul before and said he made the trip because he didn't know when he'd have the chance to again.

“I think he's the greatest American this side of Thomas Jefferson,” Post said.

Post, who works for a John Deere Implement dealer, said Paul is change.

“Obama promised us change and gave us nothing,” he said.

Stump speech

Paul gave a brief speech focused on getting out of wars, small government and personal liberties.

Paul said America needs to bring its troops home because the overseas conflicts are draining money from the economy.

“These wars have added $4 trillion to our national debt,” Paul said.

The Federal Reserve is printing money, he said, and politicians have bought votes. But none of their programs are working.

“The rich got bailed out and the middle class lost their jobs,” Paul said.

But people are waking up, he said.

Justin Landhuis, 23, a graduate student studying sustainable agriculture, said he's grown disenchanted with both parties and liked Paul's ideas on the Federal Reserve.

“He seems to have the most reasonable plan for our country's future. I've had a dissatisfaction with both parties and something I noticed over the past four or five years — he doesn't seem to fall distinctly with the Republican party. That's something I like,” Landhuis said.

Paul has different ideas, he said.

“Clearly what has been done before isn't working.”

Landhuis, who considers himself a Democrat, said he would probably caucus for Paul, but said he also had a trip planned.

Message to Young Voters

Paul made no plea for students to stay in town and caucus, but the screen behind him flashed the message Spend Christmas Break with Ron Paul.

Paul is popular among young voters because of his stance on financial issues which includes drastically cutting federal spending and elimination of income and other taxes. He also believes in leaving decisions like gay marriage and the legalization of marijuana to states.

“The war on drugs has been a real detriment to personal liberty,” Paul said Thursday.

He said drugs are dangerous. “There are more people addicted and dying from narcotics written by prescription by doctors, you know the legal drugs,” Paul said to loud applause.